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Working at the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, researchers from the University of Southern California want to create a predictive method of carbon loss in coastal areas. Photo: Nandaro Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedPhoto: Nandaro Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Sea level rises threatening wetland carbon

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L'ascesa del livello del mare mette a rischio la capacità di stoccaggio del carbonio alterando la presenza dei microbi e la vegetazione, osservano i ricercatori americani
In drier rice fields the amount of arsenic is reduced but the amount of cadmium increases. Photo: pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredpxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Irrigation of rice fields impacts on metal uptake

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A University of Delaware study highlights the impact of water supply in determining the concentration of arsenic and cadmium in rice plants. But the mechanism is complex and a solution is yet to be found
Soil bacteria and microbes work together to thrive in different soil pH levels. Photo: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedPacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

Soil bacteria survive by cooperating with each other

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With gene sequencing, researchers at Ohio State University have shown how bacteria cooperate to thrive in environments characterised by different pH levels
In California the rate of erosion after post-fire floods increased between 3.5 and 4.6 times. Photo: Tomwsulcer CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 DeedTomwsulcer CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

In California, fires and subsequent floods accelerate erosion

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According to a study by the US Geological Survey, erosion on California coasts is closely linked to extreme weather events enhanced by progressive climate change
In addition to combating pathogens and promoting biodiversity, rice cultivation reduce land subsidence. Photo: Damien Boilley Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedDamien Boilley Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Rice cultivation helps protect soil health

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Cultivating rice in sugarcane fields protects soil moisture and counteracts pathogens. From Florida, the story of a successful agricultural practice
14% of all active ingredients in US pesticides are classified as PFAS, a compound type that poses a danger to the environment and human health. Photo: CGP Grey Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedCGP Grey Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Pesticides in the US are still full of PFAS

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The data of the first study on the presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in US pesticides. According to two US organisations, 14% of all active ingredients in US pesticides are PFAS
New instruments are being developed in Missouri to detect soil nutrients quickly, reliably and inexpensively. Photo: pxhere CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deedpxhere CC0 1.0 Universal CC0 1.0 Deed

US researchers test a sensor to assess nutrient loss

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A research project at the University of Missouri describes the potential of a new instrument to detect the presence of phosphorous- and nitrogen-based nutrients in the soil. An innovation that would pave the way for a more sustainable use of fertilisers
An estimated 29 million American households are still exposed to dangerous levels of lead. Photo: Joe Mabel ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 3.0 UNPORTED CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedJoe Mabel ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 3.0 UNPORTED CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

American soils are still contaminated with lead

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For one in four households, the level of lead exposure exceeds the safety threshold set by the Environmental Protection Agency, an Indiana University study has found
Globally, scientists explained, wetlands are rich in biodiversity and provide various services including water supply for agricultural use and carbon storage. Photo: Kelly Fike/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region PUBLIC DOMAIN MARK 1.0 UNIVERSAL PDM 1.0 DeedPhoto: Kelly Fike/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region PUBLIC DOMAIN MARK 1.0 UNIVERSAL PDM 1.0 Deed

Here is how the climate will affect the wetlands in North America

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Wetlands, a study from the US explains, will experience substantial drying during the summer. Impacting habitat and biodiversity from Florida to Mississippi to southeastern Canada
Biosolids are a by-product of the wastewater treatment process and can be used as fertilisers as they are rich in nitrogen and phosphorus. Photo: City of Geneva ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL 2.0 GENERIC CC BY-NC 2.0 DeedCity of Geneva ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL 2.0 GENERIC CC BY-NC 2.0 Deed

US bio-fertilisers are useful but watch out for contamination

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Used as fertilisers, biosolids produced by wastewater treatment can be very beneficial for the soil. This is also why, according to a study, it is important to analyse their content to prevent contamination phenomena